Oriental Pied Hornbills in Singapore

An unusual visitor - almost the size of a newborn baby - lurked around the Kovan neighbourhood. For a while, it rested on the roof, next to my neighbour's air-con unit, preening its feathers with its yellow beak.

It was strange, to see this bird lying awkwardly on a tiled roof. Why wasn't it perching on a branch? Was it hurt?

Then, it spread its wings and fluttered to a nearby tree. Perhaps that Oriental Pied Hornbill could read our minds; maybe it wanted to reassure us that it was hearty and hale.

My father, neighbours and I were all excited to see this visitor which has been hitherto unseen of in this area.